For Immediate Release
Richmond, VA â€“Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville) joined other state and local government officials at a Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting held this past Thursday. The meeting was sponsored by the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce and served to update lawmakers on the transportation and funding needs facing the Capital Region.

MPO priority projects were presented; included were proposals to widen Route 360 east of I-295 and the construction of a new interchange at I-95 and Lewistown Road, each in Hanover County. Proposed projects in Henrico County consist of improvements to the I-295 & Charles City Road interchange and widening of portions of Nine Mile Road. Improvements to the I-64 corridor are also planned.

The Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is the federally designated regional transportation planning organization that serves as the forum for cooperative transportation decision-making in the Richmond area. The MPO's geographic coverage extends to that area which is projected to be urbanized within the next 20 years; it includes approximately two-thirds of the Richmond Regional Planning District. The RRPDC serves as the contracting agent for the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, and provides the administrative and technical staff. Voting membership on the MPO includes nine local governments, four transportation/planning agencies, and VDOT.

â€œMy neighbors in the 97th District expect their government to find sensible solutions to pressing problems in transportation, which means more than throwing millions or even billions of dollars at VDOT and hoping roads are improved anytime soon,â€ said Del. Chris Peace. â€œWe need to shift the paradigm about how we approach these issues. Allowing for more local control and imaginative, private-sector solutions help the state address transportation needs without adding to the burdens of taxpaying families.â€
Delegate Christopher K. Peace was elected to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates on January 24, 2006 in a Special Election where he carried four of the seven jurisdictions and over 65% of the precincts. As the representative for the 97th District, Delegate Peace serves parts of Hanover, Caroline, King William, King and Queen, Henrico, Spotsylvania Counties and all of New Kent County. Peace now sits on the prominent House Courts of Justice, Health Welfare and Institutions, and Science and Technology Committees.
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